Australia in denial about Asia

A century ago, Australian governments were declaring that the country needed to turn its focus to building relationships with Asia.

So why is it that current Federal administrations declare the same, as if it's a fresh idea? Why does Australia ignore the fact that it has been trading and engaging with Asia for more than a hundred years?

Elizabeth Pisani is the author of Indonesia, Etc.: Exploring the Improbable Nation.

She joins Waleed Aly in The Drawing Room along with Dr. Agnieszka Sobocinska, Deputy Director of the National Centre for Australian Studies at Monash Uni and author of Visiting the Neighbours: Australians in Asia.